For three years, Rodin, Wyeth, Kandinsky, Caravaggio, Goodwin, and the late Andy Warhol have munched happily on invasive plant species in Wissahickon Valley Park. Now the goats, all named after artists, are off to green pastures on the West Coast, and the Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) wished them the best of luck in a send off this Sunday, August 11.

The goats have been part of an informal study looking at options for invasive plant removal in the park. "The goats have made so many friends over the past three years," says their owner, Yvonne Post. "I believe we have planted the seeds for progress toward a more sustainable approach to an oppressive problem in our natural spaces.” Post will be taking the small herd on a cross country trip to their new home in Oregon, stopping at green spaces along the journey to promote goats as a sustainable option for weed control in transition towns and post-urban environments. Post and her daughter will be keeping a blog detailing their journey. You can find a link to the blog on the FOW website once it goes live.

Sarah E. Adams is an editorial intern at Grid and can also be found working for Bennett Compost at a farmer’s market near you.